This day was Monday. Normally on a Monday I try to get down to whatever "business" needs to get done. I also try to eat very healthy and to get in a really good workout. I think I feel like if I do those things on a Monday I am starting a really good tone for the week.
But on Sunday, I saw a post on facebook from my friend Kristin. She had tickets to a taping of the Bonnie Hunt Show for Monday and her mom was supposed to go with her, but had the flu and couldn't go. Kristin was looking for someone to go with her. I said I might be able to go depending on the time, because, you know, I had my stuff to do in the morning. Well, I kind of hemmed and hawed about going until Sunday night at 1 am when I realized, this would be a NEW thing since I'd never been to the Bonnie Hunt Show and it would be a bit of an L.A. adventure to talk about. So, I decided to go. Luckily for me Kristin hadn't found anyone else to take the ticket so, it was on!
This is one of the great things about this project having monthly "themes", it forces me out of my comfort zone a bit. Even though there are a lot of things I would like to do, I often find that I am too lazy to do them or too preoccupied with keeping up with the status quo to really step out of my usual routine. So, instead of sticking to my usual routine of staying home in my pjs all day and perusing the Internet for jobs and documentary stuff, and constantly checking facebook, then working out and taking Frankie for a walk (man, I bored myself with that sentence), I went to the taping. I had to wake up, get ready and go on a bit of an adventure.
Sure, living in SoCal my whole life I have been to a television taping or two. And as an actress, I've visited some sets and studios. But, I had never been to the Culver Studios and I had never been to the Bonnie Hunt Show. And so, it was a new thing because I hadn't been to that show before and also a new thing because I broke out of my usual routine. Because, yeah, there was a time prior to this project where I wouldn't have said "Yes" to that invite because it conflicted with my "big plans" of starting Monday off in the way that I was accustomed.
Also, I learned a lesson, had I decided for sure to go before 1 am on Sunday night, I could have gone to bed at a decent hour, woken up early and still fit in a workout before I needed to head up to LA. So, the long decision making process should probably no longer be a part of my life. Just something for me to work on. ;-)
So, we got to the Studios and I dutifully left my cell phone and cameras in the trunk of the car because they are not allowed in the studio. We stood in line for about a little over an hour. This gave us time to chat and chat we did. We were also given numbers to wear that matched our place in line. Kristin and I were 50 and 51. Then they let us onto the studio grounds. We had to go through security. We then waited outside under a tent for a while until they lined us up numerically and let us into the studio. It's always surprising how much bigger these sets are in person. As you walk into the set they hand out complimentary Mug Rootbeer and Vienna Hotdogs! I took a Mug Rootbeer but not a hotdog, since, well, I don't eat them. However, if Curtis was there he'd have been totally stoked to have rootbeer and a hotdog. Even though I don't eat hotdogs I was still impressed by this little touch.
One of the other cool things about Bonnie's set is that once on the studio lot the staffers have their dogs with them at work. One girl that was corralling us in the beginning had a Shitzu type of dog, another guy laying down cables for the cameras had a big white pitbull/American Bulldog type of dog with him (I got to pet him!) and then during the show she talks about rescue dogs and the dogs the staffers have adopted. She is a big advocate for adopting and rescuing dogs who need homes and the world needs more people like her! What a great employer and advocate!
The show was fun and we had a good time. I was sad to learn at the very end that the show is supposed to be cancelled. I really like this show. It's a nice, fun, cute show that has some touching and inspiring moments without too much heaviness or drama. It's what talk shows used to be like. A fun and engaging host with a fun, warm set and some witty banter with the guests. Bonnie is a nice girl in what is often an ugly and mean industry. I was just having a discussion about whether or not nice girls can win in the entertainment industry and well, I'd like to see this nice girl win. So, if you like Bonnie, dogs, or just some good clean talk show fun, please call your NBC Affiliates and ask them to keep the show on.
After that we went back to the car to get the cameras and then we went and took photos in front of the studios. Which are the photos at the top and also the one below. :)
Our next stop was in Los Feliz at Fred's 62. (ANOTHER NEW THING!) It's a diner that is open 24 hours. They have a lot of veggiehead friendly food. I'd never been there (really, I was just an adventure failure when I lived in L.A.)but it's one of Kristin's favorite places. I now can see why. The food is great, the decor is fun and interesting (one side is like old cars and diner like, and kind of funky and the other side is a little more cozy) and the service was really good. My photos don't really do it justice.
We had fried macaroni and cheese and I had a salad with feta, cucumbers, tomatoes and falafal! I love falafal! Kristin also had some udon soup that looked amazing. I can't wait to go back. I had a hard time choosing what to eat because so many things looked good! And I'd like to point out that Fried Macaroni and Cheese is technically a splurge food that I save for weekends and holidays. But I ate it anyway because life is short, it was Kristin's birthday and well, it was a bit of a celebration. But it was another departure from my typical Monday behavior! ;-)
By the time we left it was dark and I had to get home to feed Frankie the Wonder Dog. But all in all it was a great day with a good friend and some great conversation and new things! I got home too late to work out or walk Frankie, but I was really glad that I went out for the day! It was a really fun and memorable experience!
1 comment:
That food looks good! We need to get out more.
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